Short answer
Villars-sur-Ollon is a family village at about 1,300 metres in Vaud, under two hours by train from Geneva. The Villars–Gryon–Les Diablerets ski area has about 90 kilometres of pistes, three quarters of them blue, and a small train goes from the village up to the pistes at Bretaye. Villars suits families with beginners and young children – but the area is low, so the snow is less reliable than in the high resorts.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- Switzerland, Vaud
- Ski area
- Villars–Gryon–Les Diablerets
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1250 – 2120 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 87 km
- Lifts
- 30
- Season
- December – April
- Nearest airports
- Geneva (about 1 h 45)
- Train
- Train to Bex, then rack railway (about 40 min)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
3,8 / 5
- Beginner slopes Three quarters of the pistes are blue, with practice slopes and conveyor belts in Villars and Gryon.
- Snow reliability The village sits at about 1,300 metres and the pistes reach only just over 2,100 metres.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts The train and the gondola start from the village, and much of the accommodation is close by.
- More than skiing The train up to Bretaye, the view of Lake Geneva and the outing to Glacier 3000.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Villars-sur-Ollon lies on a sunny terrace high above the Rhône valley in Vaud, with views of Lake Geneva on one side and the Dents du Midi on the other. It is a classic family village, with boarding schools, chalets and a small train that goes straight up to the slopes.
For families with beginners, few resorts in Switzerland suit better – almost all the slopes are blue.
Almost only blue slopes
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 66 km | 76 % |
| Red | 18 km | 21 % |
| Black | 3 km | 3 % |
The Villars–Gryon–Les Diablerets ski area has about 90 kilometres of pistes and 30 lifts. Three quarters are blue, which is unusual in Switzerland. The whole family can ski together, and the youngest learn on the practice slopes with conveyor belts in Villars and the neighbouring village of Gryon.
The train up to Bretaye
From the village a small train goes up to Bretaye, where the pistes start – it works as a lift and children usually love it. There is also a gondola from the village up into the area. The train belongs to the same line that comes up from Bex in the valley, so you can travel all the way from Geneva to the slopes by train.
The snow – the weak point
The village sits at about 1,300 metres, and the pistes reach only just over 2,100 metres. In a mild winter the snow can be thin, especially at the bottom. Choose a week in the middle of winter if you can, and check the snow conditions before you book.
Villars with kids
- Practice slopes with conveyor belts in Villars and Gryon.
- Ski schools for children in the village.
- The lift ticket is cheaper than in the big resorts in Valais, and the children's pass costs less than the adult pass.
If it is your first ski trip, everything about ski school, equipment and the daily rhythm is in the guide to the first ski trip with kids, and for adult beginners in ski trip for beginners.
An outing to Glacier 3000
On a day with good weather you can go to Glacier 3000 near Les Diablerets, a glacier at almost 3,000 metres with views over the Alps. It is a separate area with its own lift ticket, so check the prices before you go.
How to get to Villars
- By train: take the train to Bex in the Rhône valley and the rack railway up to Villars, about 40 minutes. From Geneva the whole journey takes under two hours. We go through the journey from Sweden in train to the Alps.
- By air: Geneva is the closest.
- By car: the road up from Ollon or Bex has many bends – winter tyres and snow chains are required.
Villars or other resorts?
Crans-Montana and Verbier in Valais are bigger and higher, but more expensive and steeper. Villars is best for families with beginners who want easy slopes, trains all the way and lower prices. We compare all the Swiss resorts in ski resorts in Switzerland.
Packing for Villars – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Is Villars good for beginners?
Yes, very. About three quarters of the pistes are blue, and there are practice slopes with conveyor belts both in Villars and in the neighbouring village of Gryon. It is one of the most beginner-friendly resorts in Switzerland.
How do you get to Villars?
By train to Bex in the Rhône valley and then the rack railway up to Villars. From Geneva the whole journey takes under two hours.
Is Villars snow-sure?
Less so than the high resorts. The village sits at about 1,300 metres and the pistes reach just over 2,100 metres, so in a mild winter the snow can be thin. Choose a week in the middle of winter if you can.
What is Glacier 3000?
A glacier near Les Diablerets, at almost 3,000 metres, which is a separate area with its own lift ticket. It is a good outing on a day with good weather.
How much does the lift ticket cost in Villars?
The lift pass is cheaper than in the big resorts in Valais, and the children's pass costs less than the adult pass.
